Recent studies have suggested that certain polycarbonate plastics used in products such as Nalgene water bottles, baby bottles, or plastic food container may leach harmful hormone disrupting chemicals into the body. Companies like Nalgene deny that the amount of chemicals leached from their products pose a signifigant sign that gene expression is altered. Based on other research, however, it has been found that fixatives in polycarbonate plastics to estrogen receptors creates a significant threat. Among the secreted chemicals, Bisphenol A poses the most danger. Bisphenol A is only potentially released if temperatures are outside the designed range for the specific plastic.
In November 2007, Mountain Equipment Co-op removed all hard, clear polycarbonate plastic water bottles (including Nalgene-branded product) from their shelves and no longer offers these items for sale. Lululemon made a similar move in December of 2007.
Alternatives:
An alternative is available in the polyethylene versions of these products (made out of HDPE, Nalgene's traditional material), which are free of these chemicals. They can be identified by their greater flexibility, by their translucent, and by the number 2 triangular plastic recycling symbol on the bottom.
On April 18, 2008, Health Canada announced that Bisphenol A is "'toxic' to human health". Canada is the first nation to make this designation. On the same day, Nalgene announced it would phase out production of its Outdoor line of polycarbonate containers containing the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). Nalgene’s current product mix, includes the recently launched Everyday line and the original polycarbonate bottles made from materials that do not contain BPA. (Source: wikipedia.org "Nalgene")
Recycling Symbols:
The following is a classification system for commonly used plastics by their resin identification numbers. Note that although its number appears within a recycling symbol, PVC is never safe to be recycled. For more information on PVC, see the video in the links section below. PET Polyethylene Terephthalate
Two-liter beverage bottles, mouthwash bottles, boil-in-bag pouches.
HDPE High Density Polyethylene
Milk jugs, trash bags, detergent bottles.
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
Cooking oil bottles, packaging around meat.
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene
Grocery bags, produce bags, food wrap, bread bags.
PP Polypropylene
Yogurt containers, shampoo bottles, straws, margarine tubs, diapers.
PS Polystyrene
Hot beverage cups, take-home boxes, egg cartons, meat trays, cd cases.
Other
All other types of plastics or packaging made from more than one type of plastic.
The Problem with Plastics:
The health hazards associated with use of polycarbonate water bottles, recently well publicized, are only one example of how many types of plastics can have an adverse affect on human health. Platics are formed through a process called polymerization in which monomer molecules are chemically bound together to form a polymer chain. Colorants, flame-retardants, and plasticizers, many of which are toxic, are also added to plastics. According to plastic manufacturers, the polymerization process tightly binds the toxic components of plastic together in such a way that they pose no threat to human health. Unfortunately, the polymerization process is not perfect, leaving toxic monomer molecules free to migrate out of the material. In fact, FDA regulations on plastic safety assume a certain level of migration; their aim is to set safe limits on the extent to which this can occur. Clearly, it is better that substances which do not belong in the body are best not introduced into it; however, there are at least two reasons why even low doses can be dangerous:
Extremely Low Doses: In the 1500s Swiss alchemist Paracelsus wrote,"Alle Ding sind Gift und nichts ohne Gift; alein die Dosis macht das ein Ding kein Gift ist." Essentially, it's the dose that makes the poison. Counter to the reasonable conclusion that small doses of a toxic substance may be safe, scientists have found out that extremely low doses, still able to interfere with the endocrine system, can in some cases be even more harmful than large doses.
Paracelsus
Synergy: Synergy is the interaction of two or more substances that results in a combination more potent than each of the substances taken seperately. Due to the prevalence of synthetic chemicals in modern life, there is enormous potential for synergistic interactions to take place within the human body. The link immediately below allows you to explore some of the toxins commonly found in households.
(The above information came from an article on Mindfully.org, a website meant to be used as a nonprofit research tool. The article appears to be well researched and fits with information found elsewhere. The creators of this site do not necessarily endorse the opinions contained within this article or on Mindfully.org.)
The following reccomendations for reducing exposure to plastics come from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute:
Never microwave in plastic, and always cool foods before placing them in plastic conainers.
Choose packaging that's made from truly recyclable materials: paper, glass, metal cans.
Bring your own container to salad bars, yogurt shops, etc. - any place you'll be served in plastic.
Buy in bulk, whenever possible. It's the least-packaged option.
For wrapped foods, choose butcher paper, waxed paper or cellulose bags.
Bring cloth bags to your supermarket to carry groceries home.
Choose #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) whenever plastic cannot be avoided! These are the most commonly recycled plastics.
Some plastics are not readily recyclable, such as #3 (PVC), #6 (PS), #7 (often polycarbonate). Check to see which ones are recycled by your community.
Dangers of Plastic
Recent studies have suggested that certain polycarbonate plastics used in products such as Nalgene water bottles, baby bottles, or plastic food container may leach harmful hormone disrupting chemicals into the body. Companies like Nalgene deny that the amount of chemicals leached from their products pose a signifigant sign that gene expression is altered. Based on other research, however, it has been found that fixatives in polycarbonate plastics to estrogen receptors creates a significant threat. Among the secreted chemicals, Bisphenol A poses the most danger. Bisphenol A is only potentially released if temperatures are outside the designed range for the specific plastic.
In November 2007, Mountain Equipment Co-op removed all hard, clear polycarbonate plastic water bottles (including Nalgene-branded product) from their shelves and no longer offers these items for sale. Lululemon made a similar move in December of 2007.
Alternatives:
An alternative is available in the polyethylene versions of these products (made out of HDPE, Nalgene's traditional material), which are free of these chemicals. They can be identified by their greater flexibility, by their translucent, and by the number 2 triangular plastic recycling symbol on the bottom.
On April 18, 2008, Health Canada announced that Bisphenol A is "'toxic' to human health". Canada is the first nation to make this designation. On the same day, Nalgene announced it would phase out production of its Outdoor line of polycarbonate containers containing the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). Nalgene’s current product mix, includes the recently launched Everyday line and the original polycarbonate bottles made from materials that do not contain BPA. (Source: wikipedia.org "Nalgene")
Recycling Symbols:
The following is a classification system for commonly used plastics by their resin identification numbers. Note that although its number appears within a recycling symbol, PVC is never safe to be recycled. For more information on PVC, see the video in the links section below.PET Polyethylene Terephthalate
Two-liter beverage bottles, mouthwash bottles, boil-in-bag pouches.
HDPE High Density Polyethylene
Milk jugs, trash bags, detergent bottles.
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
Cooking oil bottles, packaging around meat.
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene
Grocery bags, produce bags, food wrap, bread bags.
PP Polypropylene
Yogurt containers, shampoo bottles, straws, margarine tubs, diapers.
PS Polystyrene
Hot beverage cups, take-home boxes, egg cartons, meat trays, cd cases.
Other
All other types of plastics or packaging made from more than one type of plastic.
The Problem with Plastics:
The health hazards associated with use of polycarbonate water bottles, recently well publicized, are only one example of how many types of plastics can have an adverse affect on human health. Platics are formed through a process called polymerization in which monomer molecules are chemically bound together to form a polymer chain. Colorants, flame-retardants, and plasticizers, many of which are toxic, are also added to plastics. According to plastic manufacturers, the polymerization process tightly binds the toxic components of plastic together in such a way that they pose no threat to human health. Unfortunately, the polymerization process is not perfect, leaving toxic monomer molecules free to migrate out of the material. In fact, FDA regulations on plastic safety assume a certain level of migration; their aim is to set safe limits on the extent to which this can occur. Clearly, it is better that substances which do not belong in the body are best not introduced into it; however, there are at least two reasons why even low doses can be dangerous:
******Chemicals Within Us Interactive Guide******
(The above information came from an article on Mindfully.org, a website meant to be used as a nonprofit research tool. The article appears to be well researched and fits with information found elsewhere. The creators of this site do not necessarily endorse the opinions contained within this article or on Mindfully.org.)
The following reccomendations for reducing exposure to plastics come from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute:
Links:
AUDIO FILE:
"Is a Chemical in Plastic Bottles a Hazard to Humans?"SAM SUDS MOVIE